Assigned to HHS AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1257
department of child safety; continuation.
Purpose
Continues the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) for four years. Removes the
requirement that legislators and legislative staff members sign a form outlining confidentiality
laws and penalties before requesting access to DCS information.
Background
Laws 2014, Second Special Session, Chapter 1, established DCS to protect children by:
1) investigating reports of abuse and neglect; 2) assessing, promoting and supporting the safety of
children in a safe and stable family or any other appropriate placement in response to allegations of
abuse or neglect; 3) working cooperatively with law enforcement in regard to reports that include
criminal conduct allegations; 4) coordinating services to achieve and maintain permanency for
children without compromising their safety; and 5) strengthening families and providing prevention,
intervention and treatment services (A.R.S. § 8-451). DCS is overseen by a Governor-appointed
director that must have administrative experience in both the protection of children and family
support services, as well as possess the necessary qualifications and training to manage DCS affairs
(A.R.S. § 8-452).
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee of Reference (COR) held a public
meeting on January 3, 2024, to review and evaluate DCS's response to the sunset review factors
and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that DCS be continued for four years until
July 1, 2028 (COR Report). DCS is set to terminate on July 1, 2024, unless continued by the
Legislature (A.R.S. § 41-3024.06).
Federal law requires DCS to maintain information regarding its investigations. This
information is confidential, but if it is necessary to promote the safety and well-being of children,
DCS may share its information with a variety of entities, including legislators who request the
information in the regular course of their duties. Current statute allows a legislator to discuss this
information with another legislator only if the other legislator, along with any legislative staff
member, has signed a form that outlines the confidentiality laws governing DCS files and penalties
for further release of the information (A.R.S. § 8-807).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2024, DCS until July 1, 2028. FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1257
Page 2
2. Repeals DCS on January 1, 2029.
3. Removes the requirement that legislators and legislative staff members sign a form outlining
confidentiality laws and penalties before requesting access to DCS information.
4. Contains a purpose statement.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
• Removes the requirement that legislators and legislative staff members sign a form outlining
confidentiality laws and penalties before requesting access to DCS information.
Senate Action
HHS 2/20/24 DPA 5-2-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 22, 2024
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